In Brazil’s Steel City, pollution and uncertainty swirl in the air
At its base in Volta Redonda, steelmaker CSN confronts decarbonisation, financial and legal challenges, and complaints over ‘black dust’ emissions The post In Brazil’s Steel City, pollution and uncertainty swirl in the air appeared first on Dialogue Earth .
Volta Redonda, known as Brazil's "Steel City," is a stark contrast to the other nearby towns with its grey skies. Established by Brazil's National Steel Company (CSN) in the 1940s, the city has become a key player in the country's industrialization, producing nearly 6 million tonnes of steel annually. However, this growth has come with a heavy environmental cost, with air pollution often exceeding Brazilian legislation limits and causing health issues for residents.
Local resident Ricardo Nascimento has noted the prevalence of "black dust" in homes, leading to frequent cleaning. Toxicologist Leandro Vargas warns of the dangers of the pollution, which has been linked to cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. The area also houses a waste site, dubbed the "slag mountain," where solid wastes from the steelmaking process have been deposited for decades.
CSN has taken steps to address the pollution, such as installing filters and upgrading its steelworks, but recent recommendations from Brazil's public prosecutor for expanded monitoring call for more action. A recent survey by the Ethics in Politics Movement Volta Redonda found that 47% of residents felt pollution had increased in the past year, with a perceived pollution level of nearly 9.2 out of 10.
While CSN has begun exploring pathways to decarbonisation and green steel production, including pilots for green hydrogen, the immediate focus remains on cleaning up the pollution in the city.
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